When I take pics indoors with flash-the pics are dark. NO PROBLEM outdoors in sunlight. Batteries are fresh, no otherproblems with camera

Try setting ISO value to 100. If this does not work, return it to the retailer.

Have you changed the batteries on the outside sender unit?

This is not an answer. The S3 normally does not produce dark pictures, and I have seen this issue before. It has to do with a setting somewhere on that camera that needs to be adjusted. I wish I knew what that setting was/is as my wife's camera has recently started doing this ...

for the same price you want to charge me for your info, I'll be glad to let you know how to solve this problem.

The ISO (sensitivity) is set too low, like 200 ISO.
Change the ISO setting to 3200, or maximum just to see if pix become very light.

Normally, you might want to keep it around 800 ISO.

Put in new alkaline batteries to test the flash. Don't use rechargeables or "heavy duty" for this test.

Have you tried changing the mode? ie portrait, closeup, macro etc?

Many cameras have an exposure adjustment of increasing/decreasing amount of exposure (usually marked as -/+) Yours is probable set with to much overexposure. This is a setting you can change.

Given that the 15' batteries out trick is just a way of forcing the iris to get un stick i think your iris is probably still getting stuck (but this time open a bit).
you could try doing the 15' trick a few more times in the hope of loosening it a bit.
ultimately once you have had this issue i think you are living on borrowed time before it happens again unless you get it fixed by canon.

I have a similar problem. Indoor pictures are ok but outdoor ones are bright and washed out like as if it is getting too much light. Tried to reset to defaults but no help. Suggestions ?([email protected])

this problem may happen due to sticky shutters. when a camera is left non operative for a long time sometimes the the shutter gets stuck due to some sticks substance between the blades. BUT you specified thet it's not taking OUTDOOR PICTURES that means that it is working fine indoors ??? That's confusing..